Christine Shisler

Senior Director of Cultural Markets at RBC

Christine Shisler is the Senior Director of Cultural Markets at RBC. As a first generation Canadian she grew up hearing the family stories about settling in a new country. Christine understands the challenges of starting a new life abroad and has made it her priority to provide newcomers to Canada the opportunities to thrive and succeed in Canada. @RBC_Canada

Have you ever tried to have an important conversation with someone but felt like they just didn't understand you? Then you might know the frustration experienced by many of Canada's 4.7 million immigr...

I am proud to live in a country that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Talented immigrants arrive every year to call Canada home, and these newcomers shape this country's future in important ways. Earlier this year, I wrote about the value of honouring the immigrants that help make Canada better. It was a broad call to acknowledge the social, economic and cultural contribution that thousands of immigrants make to our country.

Many newcomers to Canada are surprised at how important credit scores are, or how they work. The credit system in Canada may not always take into account financial history in another country and the concept of building a credit history can be unfamiliar, especially in places where cash or your bank balance is the most important financial consideration.

Getting a business off the ground takes many long hours and hard work -- but as any entrepreneur knows, it doesn't end there. Small business owners assume many roles -- from manager of sales and marketing to finance, HR and more. The challenge can be finding time to manage these day-to-day operations and grow the business.

Boyi's is just one tale among many immigrants who each have a unique story that helps define Canada. Their successes help build a country that is rich in diversity and a home where newcomers thrive. And as someone who has thrived by inspiring others, Boyi believes his meaning in life is "worth what I am for others, for the community."

Employment opportunities for newcomers to Canada are as diverse as the Canadian landscape. Manufacturing, natural resources, government (or public service), financial, telecommunications and professional designations are just a few of the employment sectors to choose from.

While the prospect of purchasing a home for the first time in Canada is an exciting and important step, many newcomers choose to rent for the first several months to a year (or longer) after their arrival. Before deciding whether to rent or buy, it's important that you know what you can afford, weigh the options available and take the time to make the right decisions that will ensure a successful future in Canada.

One of the first things you'll need to do is open a Canadian bank account. This will give you a safe place to deposit and access your money whenever you need it. Canada's banking system can differ from other countries, and it takes time to understand the various types of financial institutions, bank accounts and services available.

Owning a business requires long hours and hard work, and it may take years to show a profit. For a newcomer, there can be additional challenges in the beginning including limited contacts in Canada, familiarity with local language and business practices, and as Cristina found, access to credit.